�Ordinarily, we might expect the Canadian dollar to benefit from an accelerating U.S. economy. If the U.S. economy is doing better, what about growth-related currencies in the G10?

A Canadian dollar, left, and a Euro are seen next to a series of U.S. dollars in this January 26, 2011 photo in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson.

It is an important factor in determining the success of specific Canadian sectors. How important a strong Loonie is to Canada's economy depends on who you ask says Jack Carr, an economist at the University of Toronto.

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar closed at 97.17 cents US on Friday, down 0.95 of a cent from Thursday's close. The U.S. dollar ended at 102.91 cents Cdn, up 0.99 of a cent.

Last week, the Canadian dollar was the most shorted major global currency, next to the yen, as speculators ganged up on the currency.

TORONTO (CP) - The Canadian dollar fell Tuesday as commodities continued to trade lower after beginning the week in negative territory.

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar fell Tuesday as commodities continued to trade lower after beginning the week in negative territory.

�Speculators have ganged up on the Canadian dollar by shorting the currency like there was no tomorrow,� Mr. Marion said.

The Canadian dollar drifted weaker on Monday morning in New York as the price of crude oil, Canada's crucial export, was slipping ahead of this week's key economic data from the U.S.

Iceland is on the verge of a new coalition government made up of two parties, one of which recently toyed with the idea of ditching the tiny country's currency and adopting the Canadian dollar. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. REUTERS ...